Apparatus and method for cutting sheet material

ABSTRACT

The apparatus for trimming sheet material includes a top knife and an opposing bottom knife for trimming sheet or web material passing between the top and bottom knives. The top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife. The negative rake angle may be between about −10° and −30° and, more preferably, between about −12° and −20°. The top and bottom knives may be disk or block knives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to cutting of sheet material and, more particularly, to trimming or slitting of metallic and nonmetallic sheet material, such as aluminum or plastic sheet material, and, even more particularly, relates to a method and apparatus for improving cut edge quality in trimmed sheet material.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Side or edge trimming and slitting are common processes practiced in flat rolled products (FRP) production facilities. Such trimming and slitting applications or processes include hot line edge trimming, cold mill edge trimming, and side trimming and slitting. These types of processes are generally required for both ingot source products and continuous cast products.

[0005] A major concern in the foregoing types of processes is cut edge quality. In the case of trimming or slitting of metal sheet, it is desirable to reduce burrs, fines, debris, and slivers at the cut edge of the metal sheet. The ideal cut edge should be smooth, free of edge waves (i.e., edge buckles), be clean and free from debris (i.e., fines and slivers), and be burr-free. In most cases, high burr is an indication of poor edge quality. Burr may be generally defined as the material deformed out of the sheet or web plane, which is caused during the cutting process. High burr in the cut, trimmed, or slit metal sheet, for example, can affect downstream winding quality. High burr is often unacceptable to end-use customers, such as automotive, aerospace, and rigid packaging, because high burr metal sheet is problematic in their manufacturing processes.

[0006] In general, side or edge trimming and slitting operations incorporate either disk-type knives or block-type knives. Disk-type knives are commonly used in edge trimming and slitting operations involving can body sheets, end stock sheets, lithographic sheets, and other light gauge metal sheets and foil products. Block-type knives are commonly used in hot line edge trimming of metal slabs, cold mill edge trimming of metal sheet, and edge trimming and slitting of medium and medium to heavy gauge metal sheet. In addition to the edge quality issues discussed hereinabove, other important considerations in edge trimming and slitting processes are knife life, knife setup time, and knife changeover time.

[0007] Attempts have been made in the prior art to improve both cut edge quality and knife life and performance in the cutting of sheet material, typically metal sheet. One such example is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,142 to Fritz et al., which is incorporated herein by reference. This reference discloses circular cutting shears for longitudinal edging of metal plates and sheets. The cutting shears include upper and lower circular cutters. The upper cutter is inclined towards the surface of the plate or sheet passing between the upper and lower cutters. The upper cutter generally forms an acute angle with the surface of the plate or sheet being cut. In particular, the upper cutter defines a positive rake angle, as defined hereinafter, with respect to the lower cutter. The arrangement of the upper and lower cutters insures that the top cutter runs free from the cut edge of the plate or sheet and that the edges of the cut plate or sheet are spread apart.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,820,999 to Li et al. discloses a method and apparatus for reducing or eliminating sliver formation during aluminum sheet trimming operations for aluminum sheet destined for use in motor vehicles. In general, this reference discloses orienting the aluminum sheet at a cutting angle of at least about 10° with respect to a cutting blade. The cutting angle is measured from a plane generally perpendicular to a cutting direction of the cutting blade. The apparatus and method disclosed in the Li et al. patent cuts the aluminum sheet in discreet trimming operations. The aluminum sheet is not trimmed in a continuous process. The Li et al. patent is incorporated herein by reference. A similar apparatus and method to that disclosed in the Li et al. patent is found in U.S. patent application Publication Ser. No. U.S. 2002/0017173, which is also incorporated herein by reference.

[0009] In view of the foregoing, a need continues to exist to improve cut edge quality, particularly in edge or side trimming or slitting operations in FRP plants. In addition to improved edge quality, a need exists to improve knife-life and performance in such edge trimming or slitting operations. In particular, a need exists to improve cut edge quality in side trimming or slitting operations involving metal sheet, such as aluminum sheet. Moreover, a need exists to provide a trimming/slitting apparatus and process that is more robust than prior art apparatuses and process, allowing increased clearance between the upper and lower cutters and the use of duller cutting blades or edges.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The foregoing needs are accomplished with a knife arrangement for trimming sheet or web material and method of trimming web material in accordance with the present invention. In one embodiment, the knife arrangement comprises a top knife and an opposing bottom knife for trimming sheet or web material passing between the top and bottom knives. The top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife.

[0011] The top knife preferably defines a negative rake angle of between about −10° and −30° with the substantially vertical plane. More particularly, the top knife preferably defines a negative rake angle of between about −12° and −20° with the substantially vertical plane. The top and bottom knives may comprise disk or block knives.

[0012] The top and bottom cutting knives may be spaced apart horizontally by a clearance gap of up to about 350% of web material thickness. The top and bottom knives may overlap at least partially in the vertical direction. The overlap may be between about 25% and 800% of web material thickness.

[0013] The web material generally lies in a substantially horizontal plane when passing between the top and bottom knives. The top knife may define a cant angle with the bottom knife when viewed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal plane. The cant angle may be in the range of between about −0.25° and 1°. The top and bottom knives may be specifically adapted to trim metal sheet material, such as aluminum or steel metal sheet, foil, or thin plate.

[0014] The top knife may be a disk knife adapted to trim the web material. The top disk knife may comprise a cutting edge defined by first and second substantially planar surfaces. The first and second surfaces define an acute angle therebetween, which forms the cutting edge. The first surface is formed at an angle α of between about 10° and 30° with respect to a substantially horizontal plane passing through the cutting edge. The second surface is formed at an angle γ of between about 60° and 80° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane. The second surface extends a projected distance t of between about 0.001 to 0.080 inch as measured along the substantially horizontal plane.

[0015] The top disk knife may further comprise a third surface adjacent the first surface and formed at an angle θ of between about 45° and 65° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane. The first surface may be formed at an angle α of between about 10° and 20° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane. The second surface may be formed at an angle γ of between about 70° and 80° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane. The second surface may extend a projected distance t of between about 0.003 to 0.060 inch along the substantially horizontal plane.

[0016] The bottom knife may also be a disk knife adapted to trim the web material. The bottom disk knife is located opposite the top disk knife. A cutting edge of the bottom disk knife may be defined by a cutting surface formed at an angle ψ of between about 3° and 10° with respect to a substantially vertical plane passing through the cutting edge of the bottom disk knife.

[0017] The top knife may be a block knife adapted to trim the web material. The top block knife has a cutting edge defined by first and second substantially planar surfaces. The first and second surfaces define an acute angle therebetween forming the cutting edge. The first surface is formed at an angle α of between about 10° and 45° with respect to a substantially horizontal plane passing through the cutting edge. The second surface is formed at an angle γ of between about 60° and 80° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane. The second surface may extend a projected distance t of between about 0.001 to 0.080 inch as measured along the substantially horizontal plane. The first surface may be formed at an angle α of between about 10° and 20° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane. The second surface may be formed at an angle γ of between about 70° and 80° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane. The second surface may extend a projected distance t of between about 0.003 to 0.060 inch along the substantially horizontal plane.

[0018] The bottom knife may also be a block knife adapted to trim the web material. The bottom block knife is located opposite the top block knife. A cutting edge of the bottom block knife may be defined by a cutting surface formed at an angle ψ of between about 3° and 10° with respect to a substantially vertical plane passing through the cutting edge of the bottom block knife.

[0019] Further, the present invention is a method of trimming web material, such as metal, plastic, paper, or cloth material. The web material may be, for example, metal sheet, foil or thin plate. The method generally comprises cutting the web material between a top knife and an opposing bottom knife. The top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife. Preferably, the negative rake angle is between about −10° and −30° and, more preferably, −12° and −20°. The top and bottom knives may be spaced apart horizontally by a clearance gap, which may be up to about 350% of web material thickness. The top and bottom knives may overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, preferably between about 25% and 800% of web material thickness. The top knife may define a cant angle with the bottom knife. The cant angle is preferably in the range of between about −0.25° and 1°. The web material may be metal sheet, foil, or thin plate, such as aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate. The metal sheet, foil, or thin plate may have a thickness of less than about 1 inch.

[0020] The method may be applied specifically to trimming metal sheet, foil, or thin plate, and may include the steps of: providing a top knife and an opposing bottom knife, each adapted to trim metal sheet material; passing the metal sheet material between the top and bottom knives; and cutting the metal sheet material between the top and bottom knives. The top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife.

[0021] The top knife may define a negative rake angle of between about −10° and −30° with the substantially vertical plane and, more preferably, between about −12° and −20°. The top and bottom knives may be spaced apart horizontally by a clearance gap of up to about 350% of metal sheet material thickness. The top and bottom knives may overlap in the vertical direction to a distance of between about 25% and 800% of metal sheet material thickness. The top knife may define a cant angle in the range of between about −0.25° and 1° with the bottom knife.

[0022] The metal sheet material may comprise metal sheet, foil, or thin plate, such as aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate. Such aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate may be formed of an aluminum alloy selected from any alloy in the 1XXX to 8XXX series aluminum alloys as designated by the Aluminum Association. The metal sheet material may have a thickness of less than about 1 inch. The method may further comprise the steps of unwinding the metal sheet material from a supply roll prior to passing the metal sheet material between the top and bottom knives, and winding the trimmed metal sheet material on a recovery roll after cutting the metal sheet material between the top and bottom knives.

[0023] The present invention is further a trimmed length of web material, preferably metal sheet material that is substantially free of burrs, fines, debris, and slivers. The trimmed metal sheet material may comprise aluminum sheet material that is substantially free of burrs, fines, debris, and slivers produced by cutting the aluminum sheet material between top and bottom knives in accordance with the present invention. The top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through the cutting edge of the bottom knife. The aluminum sheet material may comprise aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate and having a thickness of less than about 1 inch.

[0024] Further details and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawings, wherein like parts are designated with like reference characters throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025]FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a prior art wrap trimming arrangement having top and bottom cutting knives;

[0026]FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a prior art tangential trimming arrangement having top and bottom cutting knives;

[0027]FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the tangential trimming arrangement of FIG. 1B, identifying knife overlap and knife offset parameters in the tangential trimming arrangement;

[0028]FIG. 3 is schematic top view of the tangential trimming arrangement of FIG. 1B, showing a cant angle defined between the top and bottom knives;

[0029]FIG. 4 is a schematic front view of the tangential trimming arrangement of FIG. 1B, showing a positive rake angle defined between the top and bottom knives;

[0030]FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of a prior art knife arrangement for cutting web material in the wrap and tangential trimming arrangements of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

[0031]FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a knife arrangement in accordance with the present invention for cutting web material in the wrap and tangential trimming arrangements of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

[0032]FIG. 7 is a side view of a prior art disk-type top knife used in the prior art knife arrangement of FIG. 5;

[0033]FIG. 8 is a side view of a disk-type top knife in accordance with the present invention and used in the knife arrangement of FIG. 6;

[0034]FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of preferred embodiments of the top and bottom knives used in the knife arrangement of FIG. 6;

[0035]FIG. 10 is a side view of a block-type top knife in accordance with the present invention, which may be used to cut web material in the wrap and tangential trimming arrangements of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

[0036]FIG. 11A is a microphotograph showing a trimmed edge of metal sheet material cut in the prior art knife arrangement of FIG. 5;

[0037]FIG. 11B is a microphotograph showing a trimmed edge of metal sheet material cut in the knife arrangement in accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 6;

[0038]FIG. 12A is a microphotograph of a trimmed edge of metal sheet material cut in the knife arrangement of FIG. 6, with the top and bottom knives defining a clearance gap of 0.001 inch;

[0039]FIG. 12B is a microphotograph of a trimmed edge of metal sheet material cut in the knife arrangement of FIG. 6, with the top and bottom knives defining clearance gap of 0.012 inch;

[0040]FIG. 12C is a microphotograph of a trimmed edge of metal sheet material cut in the knife arrangement of FIG. 6, with the top and bottom knives defining a clearance gap of 0.017 inch;

[0041]FIG. 12D is a microphotograph of a trimmed edge of metal sheet material cut in the knife arrangement of FIG. 6, with the top and bottom knives defining clearance gap of 0.020 inch;

[0042]FIG. 13 is graph showing the effects of cant angle on burr height in cut metal sheet material; and

[0043]FIG. 14 is a graph showing the effects of overlap on burr height in cut metal sheet material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0044] For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention, as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following text are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed hereinafter are not to be considered limiting.

[0045]FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate schematically two typical knife arrangements 10 for shear trimming or slitting of web (i.e., sheet) material W, such as metal sheet, which are known in the art. The standard knife arrangements or configurations 10 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B each include a top or upper knife 12 and a bottom or lower knife 14. FIG. 1A illustrates a typical wrap shear trimming or slitting knife arrangement 10 in which the web material W wraps around the lower blade 14 while moving in the direction of arrows 16. FIG. 1B illustrates a tangential shear trimming or slitting knife arrangement 10 in which the web material W passes substantially straight through or wraps slightly around the lower blade 14, such that the cutting area on the web material W is at an approximate tangent point to the lower blade 14 (i.e., the engaging point between the web material W and lower blade 14). In FIG. 1B, the web material W is again moving in the direction of arrows 16. The present invention, which is discussed hereinafter, is applicable to both tangential and wrap trimming or slitting applications, but will be discussed with reference to tangential trimming or slitting for convenience.

[0046]FIGS. 2-4 illustrate schematically and in further detail the known tangential shear trimming or slitting knife arrangement 10. FIGS. 2-4 illustrate and define certain standard parameters and nomenclature used in the art to describe the knife arrangement 10. The top and bottom knives 12, 14 are illustrated as disk-type knives, but may also be block-type knives. The standard nomenclature identified in FIGS. 2-4 will be used to describe the apparatus and method of the present invention, discussed herein. In the knife arrangement 10, the top knife 12 typically overlaps the bottom knife 14. The overlap is designated with reference character O₁ in FIG. 2. The overlap O₁ may be defined as the height or distance of overlapped area between the top and bottom knives 12, 14. Additionally, in the knife arrangement 10, the top knife 12 is typically offset horizontally from the bottom knife 14. The offset between the top and bottom knives 12, 14 is represented by reference character O_(f) in FIG. 2. The offset O_(f) may be defined as the horizontal distance between the axes of rotation of the top and bottom knives 12, 14 (i.e., disk-type knives).

[0047]FIG. 3 illustrates a cant angle C_(a) defined between the top and bottom knives 12, 14, as viewed from above the top and bottom knives 12, 14. The cant angle C_(a) may be defined as the angle between two cutting edge planes P₁, P₂, which encompass or pass through the cutting edges or tips 18, 20 (see FIG. 4, discussed hereinafter) of the top and bottom knives 12, 14, respectively, when viewed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the web material W. FIG. 3 illustrates a positive cant angle C_(a) between the top and bottom knives 12, 14.

[0048]FIG. 4 illustrates a rake angle R_(a) defined between the top and bottom knives 12, 14 as viewed from the front of the knife arrangement 10. In FIG. 4, the rake angle R_(a) may be defined as the angle between the cutting edge planes P₁, P₂ encompassing the cutting edges 18, 20 of the top and bottom knives 12, 14, when viewed in a direction substantially parallel to the web material W. In FIG. 4, knife blade plane P₂ is coincident with a substantially vertical plane V passing through the cutting edge or tip 20 of the bottom knife 14. Typically, rake angle R_(a) is defined in the art relative to the vertical plane V, and this standard definition will be used to describe the apparatus and method of the present invention in this disclosure. FIG. 4 illustrates a positive rake angle R_(a) between the top and bottom knives 12, 14, such as that found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,614,142 to Fritz et al. discussed previously. The dashed representation of the top knife 12 in FIG. 4 denotes a 0° rake angle R_(a).

[0049] Referring further to FIGS. 1-5, the prior art knife arrangement 10 for tangential trimming or slitting of the web material W typically has the top knife 12 oriented at a 0° rake angle R_(a) relative to the bottom knife 14, as shown in FIG. 5, rather than the positive rake angle R_(a) illustrated in FIG. 4. The material discarded in the trimming or slitting processes using the knife arrangement 10 is designated with reference character S. The web material W is cut or sheared between the top and bottom knives 12, 14. The known knife arrangement 10 shown, in particular, in FIG. 5 requires tight tolerances on the parameters discussed hereinabove, as well as a very small clearance gap C_(g) (see FIG. 6, discussed hereinafter) between the top and bottom knives 12, 14. Clearance gap C_(g) may be defined as the distance between the top and bottom knives 12, 14 in the horizontal direction. In FIG. 5, the clearance gap C_(g) is substantially zero. In general, the standard tangential trimming knife arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 5 requires a clearance gap C_(g) of less than about 10% of web material W thickness, when the web material is metal sheet material. For example, for aluminum sheet material, such as 1050-H18 aluminum alloy sheet having a thickness of 0.0058 inch, the clearance gap C_(g) must be less than 0.001 inch in the knife arrangement 10 in FIG. 5. Additionally, the cant angle C_(a) for such aluminum sheet material must be between 0° and 0.25° and the overlap O₁ less than 0.015 inch. The tight tolerances to which the top and bottom knives 12, 14 must be set makes the standard tangential trimming knife arrangement 10 typically practiced in the art difficult to setup, control, and maintain. Knife blade wear is also a significant operational issue in most flat rolled product plants using this standard configuration.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 6, a knife arrangement 100 for cutting web material W in accordance with the present invention is shown. The knife arrangement 100 of the present invention may be applied to trimming both metallic and non-metallic web materials W. Such non-metallic materials include plastics and the like. Such metallic materials include both ferrous-containing metals such as steel and non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, magnesium, copper, bronze, and the like. The knife arrangement 100 of the present invention is specifically adapted and suited for cutting, trimming, and slitting metal sheet material having a thickness of about 1 inch or less. The metal sheet material may comprise metal sheet, foil, or thin plate (i.e., metal plate having a thickness of about 1 inch or less). As indicated previously, the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention is applicable to both tangential and wrap shear trimming or slitting applications, but will be discussed with reference to tangential trimming or slitting for convenience. The material discarded in the trimming or slitting operations conducted in the knife arrangement 100 is also designated with reference character S in FIG. 6.

[0051] The knife arrangement 100 generally comprises a top knife 102 and an opposing bottom knife 104 for trimming the web material W passing between the top and bottom knives 102, 104. The top and bottom knives 102, 104 are illustrated in FIG. 6 as disk-type knives, but may also be block-type knives. A block-type top knife is illustrated in FIG. 10, discussed hereinafter. The top knife 102 has a cutting edge 106 lying in a top cutting edge plane 108. Similarly, the bottom knife 104 has a cutting edge 110 lying in a bottom cutting edge plane 112, which is coincident with a substantially vertical plane V passing through the cutting edge 110. The top cutting edge plane 108 defines a negative rake angle R_(a) with the bottom cutting edge plane 112, V in accordance with the present invention. The negative rake angle R_(a) is preferably between −10° and −30°. More preferably, the negative rake angle R_(a) is between about −12° and −20°. Most preferably, the negative rake angle R_(a) is between about −12° and −18° in accordance with the present invention. At present, it is believed that a rake angle R_(a) of −15° is optimal in the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention.

[0052] The top and bottom knives 102, 104 are spaced apart horizontally by a clearance gap C_(g) as illustrated. While specific examples will be discussed hereinafter, the clearance gap C_(g) between the top and bottom knives 102, 104 in the knife arrangement 100 may be up to about 350% of web material W thickness, which is in contrast to the clearance gap C_(g) in the standard tangential trimming knife arrangement 10 discussed previously, wherein the clearance gap C_(g) may be only about 10% of web material W thickness. The top and bottom knives 102, 104 in the knife arrangement preferably have an overlap O₁ of between about 25% and 800% of web material W thickness. The overlap O₁ range of 25% to 800% of web material W thickness for the top and bottom knives 102, 104 is substantially increased over the standard tangential trimming knife arrangement of FIGS. 2-4, which is limited to about 100% or less of web material W thickness. Further, the top and bottom knives 102, 104 preferably define a cant angle C_(a) in the range of −0.25° and 1°. The cant angle C_(a) range of −0.25° and 1° for the knife arrangement 100 is also a substantial improvement over the conventional knife arrangement 10 discussed previously in connection with FIGS. 2-4, wherein the cant angle C_(a) is limited to the range of between 0° and 0.25°.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 7, the prior art top knife 12 (i.e., disk-type knife) used in the known knife arrangement 10 of FIGS. 2-4 is shown in further detail. The top knife 12 currently used in the art has its cutting edge or tip 18 defined by two substantially planar surfaces, including a first surface 22 and a second surface 24. The first and second surfaces 22, 24 define an acute angle therebetween, which forms the cutting edge 18. In the prior art top knife 12, the first surface 22 is formed at an angle α with respect to a substantially horizontal plane H passing through or encompassing the cutting edge 18. The shaft or central axis of the top knife 12 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal plane H, as illustrated. The angle α in the prior art top knife 12 is an acute angle (i.e., <90°). The second surface 24 is formed at an angle β with respect to the horizontal plane H. The angle β in the top knife 12 currently used in the art is an obtuse angle (i.e., >90°). The top knife 12 further has a third surface 26 formed at an angle θ with respect to the substantially horizontal plane H. The third surface 26 permits debris (i.e., cut material) to clear the top knife 12 during a cutting operation. The angle θ is typically an acute angle in the top knife 12, but may be an obtuse angle.

[0054] The geometrical configuration of the top knife 102 of the present invention is shown FIG. 8. The same nomenclature used to describe the prior art top knife 12 will generally be used to describe the top knife 102. The top knife 102 is illustrated in FIG. 8 as a disk-type knife. A block-type embodiment of the top knife 102 will be discussed hereinafter in connection with FIG. 10. The cutting edge 106 of the top knife 102 is defined by first and second substantially planar surfaces 114, 116, which define an acute angle therebetween. The first surface 114 is formed at an angle α of between about 10° and 30° with respect to a substantially horizontal plane H passing through or encompassing the cutting edge 106. The shaft or central axis of the top knife 102 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal plane H, as illustrated. The second surface 116 is truncated or beveled in comparison to the second surface 24 of the prior art top knife 12 shown in FIG. 7. The second surface 116 is formed at a truncated or beveled angle γ of between about 60° and 80° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane H. More preferably, the first surface 114 is formed at an angle α of between about 10° and 20° with respect to the horizontal plane H, and the second surface is formed at an angle γ of between about 70° and 80° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane H. At present, it is believed that an angle α of about 15° and an angle γ of about 60° are optimal in the top knife 102.

[0055] The second surface 116 extends a projected distance t as measured along the substantially horizontal plane H. Preferably, the projected distance t is between about 0.001 to 0.080 inch, as measured along the horizontal plane H. More preferably, the second surface 116 may extend a projected distance t of between about 0.003 to 0.060 inch along the substantially horizontal plane.

[0056] The top knife 102 further comprises a third surface 118 adjacent the first surface 114. The third surface 118 is formed at an angle θ of between about 45° and 65° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane H. The third surface 118 provides space for cut web material W to clear the cutting edge 106 of the top knife 102 during a cutting, trimming, or slitting operation in a similar manner to the third surface 26 in the prior art top knife 12 of FIG. 7. Additionally, the top knife 102 has a fourth surface 120 formed adjacent the second surface 116, which is used to set or define the negative rake angle R_(a) at which the top knife 102 is preferably set relative to the bottom knife 104 in the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention, as discussed hereinafter in connection with FIG. 9.

[0057] The geometrical configuration of a preferred embodiment of the bottom knife 104 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 9. Additionally, FIG. 9 illustrates the presently preferred embodiment of the knife arrangement 100. The bottom knife 104 is generally positioned opposite the top knife 102 in the knife arrangement 100. The cutting edge 110 of the bottom knife 104 is preferably formed by a tapered or angled cutting surface 122 that is formed at an angle ψ with respect to the substantially vertical plane V passing through or encompassing the cutting edge 110. The angle ψ is approximately a complimentary angle to the angle γ of the top knife 102. In particular, the cutting edge 110 of the bottom knife 104 is defined by the cutting surface 122 tapered or angled an angle ψ of between about 3° and 10° with respect to the substantially vertical plane V passing through the cutting edge 110 of the bottom knife 104.

[0058] In FIG. 9, the rake angle R_(a) between the top and bottom knives 102, 104 is defined in a slightly different manner from the rake angle R_(a) defined in FIG. 6. In FIG. 9, the top cutting edge plane 108 encompasses the fourth surface 120 of the top knife 102, as shown. Thus, the negative rake angle R_(a) in FIG. 9 is defined between the fourth surface 120, or body of the top knife 102, and the substantially vertical plane V passing through the cutting edge 110 of the bottom knife 104. The values for the negative rake angle R_(a) may be the same as identified previously in connection with the schematic knife arrangement 100 of FIG. 6, discussed previously.

[0059] In another embodiment of the knife arrangement 100, the top and bottom knives 102, 104 may each be block-type knives. Referring to FIG. 10, a block-type top knife 102′ is shown. The top knife 102′ has a cutting edge or tip 106′. The top knife 102′ is substantially similar to the disk-type top knife 102 discussed previously, but does not require the third “clearing” surface 118 provided in the top knife 102, and the fourth surface 120′ is formed by the side of the top knife 102′. The fourth surface 120′ will again be used to orient the top knife 102′ in a negative rake angle R_(a) configuration with respect to the bottom knife 104′ (not shown) in accordance with the discussion hereinabove. In all other respects, the top knife 102′ has similar geometrical configurations to the disk-type top knife 102 discussed previously. The top knife 102′ has a first surface 114′ formed at an angle α with respect to a substantially horizontal plane H′ passing through the cutting edge 106′. The top knife 102′ further has a second surface 116′ formed at an angle γ′ with respect to the substantially horizontal plane H′. Preferably, the first surface 114′ is formed at an angle α′ of between about 10° and 45° with respect to the horizontal plane H′ and the second surface 116′ is formed at an angle γ′ of between about 60° and 80° with respect to the horizontal plane H′. More preferably, the first surface 114′ is formed at an angle α′ of between about 10° and 20° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane H′ and the second surface 116′ is formed at an angle γ′ of between about 70° and 80° with respect to the substantially horizontal plane H′. At present, it is believed that an angle α′ of about 15° and an angle γ′ of about 60° are optimal in the top block-type knife 102′.

[0060] The second surface 116′ extends a projected distance t′ along the substantially horizontal plane H′. Preferably, the projected distance t′ is between about 0.001 to 0.080 inch, as measured along the horizontal plane H′. More preferably, the second surface 116 may extend a distance t′ of between about 0.003 to 0.060 inch along the substantially horizontal plane H′.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, in operation, the web material W is oriented in a substantially horizontal web plane H when passing between the top and bottom knives 102, 104. The web material W is cut between the top and bottom knives 102, 104, with the top and bottom knives 102, 104 generally defining a negative rake angle R_(a) preferably in the range of between about −10° and −30°. More preferably, the rake angle R_(a) between the top and bottom knives 102, 104 is in the range of about −12° to −20°, and most preferably in the range of about −15° to −18°. The top and bottom knives 102, 104 may be spaced apart by a clearance gap C_(g) of up to about 350% of thickness of the web material W. The overlap O₁ between the top and bottom knives 102, 104 may be between about 25% and 800% of the thickness of the web material W. Further, the top and bottom knives 102, 104 may define a cant angle C_(a) in the range of between about −0.25° and 1°. The web material W may be metal sheet, foil, or thin plate (i.e., plate having a thickness of about 1 inch or less. The metal sheet, foil, or thin plate may be aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate formed of aluminum alloy selected from any alloy in the 1XXX-8XXX series aluminum alloys as designated by the Aluminum Association.

EXAMPLES

[0062] The knife arrangement 100 of FIG. 9 was tested for performance on three specific types of aluminum sheet, formed respectively of 1050-H18, 3004-H19, and 5182-H19 aluminum alloys. The thickness of the 1050-H18 aluminum sheet was 0.0058 inch. The thickness of the 3004-H19 aluminum sheet was 0.0108 inch. The thickness of the 5182-H19 aluminum sheet was 0.0085 inch. The coil sizes of the three types aluminum sheet were 24 inch wide and 18 inch in outside diameter. The knife arrangement 100 of the present invention was tested against the standard or conventional knife arrangement 10 shown in FIG. 5 on the three selected types of aluminum sheet.

[0063]FIG. 11A shows the results of the standard knife arrangement 10 on the 1050-H18 aluminum sheet having a thickness of 0.0058 inch. FIG. 11A is a microphotograph of the trimmed aluminum sheet. The relevant parameters for the top and bottom knives 12, 14 in the standard knife arrangement 10 were a rake angle R_(a) of 0°, a clearance gap C_(g) of 0.001 inch, and an overlap O₁ of 0.020 inch. As can be seen in FIG. 11A, even with a small clearance gap C_(g) the aluminum sheet has a cut edge with a pronounced burr at the cut edge.

[0064]FIG. 11B shows a microphotograph of trimmed 1050-H18 aluminum sheet produced by the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention and as illustrated in FIG. 9. The relevant perimeters for the top and bottom knives 102, 104 in the knife arrangement 100 were a rake angle R_(a) of −18°, a clearance gap C_(g) of 0.020 inch, and an overlap O₁ of 0.025 inch. As will be appreciated when viewing FIG. 11B in comparison to FIG. 11A, the trimmed edge produced by the standard knife arrangement 10 includes a significant burr while the trimmed edge produced by the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention has a relatively clean edge, which is substantially free of burrs, fines, debris, and slivers. The clearance gap C_(g) in the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention was 20 approximately times that used in the conventional knife arrangement 10 of FIG. 5. Additionally, the overlap O₁ in the knife arrangement 100 is substantially larger than the overlap O₁ used in the knife arrangement 10. It is generally accepted in the art that larger overlap O₁ produces larger burr height. The results provided by the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention contradicts this commonly accepted principle in the art. If the clearance gap C_(g) values used in the knife arrangement 100 identified hereinabove are used in the prior art knife arrangement 10, the trimming or slitting process will fail in the knife arrangement 10.

[0065]FIGS. 12A-12D show microphotographs of four cut edge profiles produced by the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention. The common parameters for the knife arrangement 100 used to form the cut edge profiles shown in FIGS. 12A-12D include a rake angle R_(a) of −18° and an overlap O₁ of 0.025 inch. The 1050-H18 aluminum sheet having a thickness of 0.0058 inch was again cut in the knife arrangement 100 at four different clearance gap C_(g) values for the top and bottom knives 102, 104. The cut edge profile shown in FIG. 12A was produced with the top and bottom knives 102, 104 having a clearance gap C_(g) of 0.001 inch. The cut edge profile shown in FIG. 12B was produced with the top and bottom knives 102, 104 having a clearance gap C_(g) of 0.012 inch. The cut edge profile shown in FIG. 12C was produced with the top and bottom knives 102, 104 having a clearance gap C_(g) of 0.017 inch. Finally, the cut edge profile shown in FIG. 12D was produced with the top and bottom knives 102, 104 having a clearance gap C_(g) of 0.020 inch. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the burr height in each microphotograph shown in FIGS. 12A-D remains substantially zero. This remains true even though the clearance gap C_(g) is 20 times larger in knife arrangement 100 used to produce the cut edge profile shown in FIG. 12D relative to the clearance gap C_(g) in the knife arrangement 100 used to produce the cut edge profile shown in FIG. 12A. As indicated previously, the clearance gap C_(g) in the conventional or standard knife arrangement 10 is typically on the order of 10% or less of the thickness of the web material W. The clearance gap C_(g) available in the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention may be on the order of 350% of web material W thickness.

[0066]FIG. 13 shows a comparison of the effects of cant angle C_(a) on burr height between the standard or conventional knife arrangement 10 of FIG. 5, and the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention shown in FIG. 9. In the standard knife arrangement 10, burr height increases dramatically after the cant angle C_(a) reaches 0.25° or larger. However, burr height is relatively insensitive to cant angle C_(a) in the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention. FIG. 14 shows a comparison of the effects of overlap O₁ on burr height between the standard or conventional knife arrangement 10 and the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention. Under the current knife arrangement 10, burr height increases dramatically after overlap O₁ reaches 0.015 inch. In contrast, burr height is relatively insensitive to overlap O₁ when using the knife arrangement 100 of the present invention.

[0067] While preferred embodiments of the present invention were described hereinabove, obvious modifications and alterations of the present invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined in the appended claims and equivalents thereto. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A knife arrangement for trimming web material, comprising a top knife and an opposing bottom knife for trimming web material passing between the top and bottom knives, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife.
 2. The knife arrangement of claim 1, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle of between about −10° and −30° with the substantially vertical plane.
 3. The knife arrangement of claim 1, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle of between about −12° and −20° with the substantially vertical plane.
 4. The knife arrangement of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom knives comprise disk knives.
 5. The knife arrangement of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom knives comprise block knives.
 6. The knife arrangement of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom cutting knives are spaced apart horizontally by a clearance gap of up to about 350% of web material thickness.
 7. The knife arrangement of claim 1, wherein the top and bottom knives overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, and wherein the overlap is between about 25% and 800% of web material thickness.
 8. The knife arrangement of claim 1, wherein the web material lies in a substantially horizontal plane when passing between the top and bottom knives, and wherein the top knife defines a cant angle with the bottom knife when viewed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal plane, the cant angle in the range of between about −0.25′ and 1°.
 9. A knife arrangement for trimming metal sheet material, comprising a top knife and an opposing bottom knife each adapted to trim metal sheet material passing between the top and bottom knives, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle of between about −10° and −30° with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife.
 10. The knife arrangement of claim 9, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle of between about −12° and −20° with the substantially vertical plane.
 11. The knife arrangement of claim 9, wherein the top and bottom knives comprise disk knives.
 12. The knife arrangement of claim 9, wherein the top and bottom knives comprise block knives.
 13. The knife arrangement of claim 9, wherein the top and bottom knives are spaced apart horizontally by a clearance gap of up to about 350% of metal sheet material thickness.
 14. The knife arrangement of claim 9, wherein the top and bottom knives overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, and wherein the overlap is between about 25% and 800% of metal sheet material thickness.
 15. The knife arrangement of claim 9, wherein the metal sheet material lies in a substantially horizontal plane when passing between the top and bottom knives, and wherein the top knife defines a cant angle with the bottom knife when viewed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal plane, the cant angle in the range of between about −0.25° and 1°.
 16. A method of trimming web material, comprising cutting the web material between a top knife and an opposing bottom knife, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle of between about −10° and −30° with the substantially vertical plane.
 18. The method of claim 16, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle of between about −12° and −20° with the substantially vertical plane.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the top and bottom knives are spaced apart horizontally by a clearance gap of up to about 350% of web material thickness.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the top and bottom knives overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, and wherein the overlap is between about 25% and 800% of web material thickness.
 21. The method of claim 16, wherein the web material lies in a substantially horizontal plane when passing between the top and bottom knives, and wherein the top knife defines a cant angle with the bottom knife when viewed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal plane, the cant angle in the range of between about −0.25′ and 1°.
 22. The method of claim 16, wherein the web material comprises metal sheet, foil, or thin plate.
 23. The method of claim 16, wherein the web material comprises aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate.
 24. The method of claim 16, wherein the web material comprises metal sheet, foil, or thin plate having a thickness of less than about 1 inch.
 25. A trimmed length of web material made by the method of claim
 16. 26. A method of trimming metal sheet, foil, and plate, comprising: providing a top knife and an opposing bottom knife each adapted to trim metal sheet material, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife; passing the metal sheet material between the top and bottom knives; and cutting the metal sheet material between the top and bottom knives.
 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle of between about −10° and −30° with the substantially vertical plane.
 28. The method of claim 26, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle of between about −12° and −20° with the substantially vertical plane.
 29. The method of claim 26, wherein the top and bottom knives are spaced apart horizontally by a clearance gap of up to about 350% of metal sheet material thickness.
 30. The method of claim 26, wherein the top and bottom knives overlap at least partially in the vertical direction, and wherein the overlap is between about 25% and 800% of metal sheet material thickness.
 31. The method of claim 26, wherein the metal sheet material lies in a substantially horizontal plane when passing between the top and bottom knives, and wherein the top knife defines a cant angle with the bottom knife when viewed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the substantially horizontal plane, the cant angle in the range of between about −0.25′ and 1°.
 32. The method of claim 26, wherein the metal sheet material comprises metal sheet, foil, or thin plate.
 33. The method of claim 26, wherein the metal sheet material comprises aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate is selected from the group consisting of Aluminum Association alloys of the 1XXX to 8XXX series.
 35. The method of claim 26, metal sheet material has a thickness of less than about 1 inch.
 36. The method of claim 26, further comprising unwinding the metal sheet material from a supply roll prior to passing the metal sheet material between the top and bottom knives, and winding the trimmed metal sheet material on a recovery roll after cutting the metal sheet material between the top and bottom knives.
 37. A trimmed length of metal sheet material substantially free of burrs, fines, debris, and slivers made by the method of claim
 26. 38. A trimmed aluminum sheet material substantially free of burrs and slivers produced by cutting the aluminum sheet material between top and bottom knives, wherein the top knife defines a negative rake angle with a substantially vertical plane passing through a cutting edge of the bottom knife.
 39. The trimmed aluminum sheet of claim 38, wherein the aluminum sheet comprises aluminum sheet, foil, or thin plate.
 40. The trimmed aluminum sheet of claim 38, wherein the aluminum sheet material has a thickness of less than about 1 inch. 